Officials identify man in Moberly officer-involved shooting

Joseph Ritter, 37, of Moberly, was in serious but stable condition at University Medical Center

Alex Lindley, MI Managing Editor

MOBERLY, Mo. — The Missouri State Highway Patrol on Wednesday morning identified the man shot by a Moberly police officer after an encounter at a home on West Carpenter Street in Moberly.

Joseph Ritter, a 37-year-old white Moberly man, was listed in serious but stable condition at University Medical Center in Columbia, Missouri, as of Wednesday morning, said MSHP Sgt. Brent Bernhardt.

The officer involved in the incident was not injured, Bernhardt said.

A Moberly police officer reportedly shot Ritter after he approached the officer in a threatening manner while holding a knife. The officer was responding to a “keep the peace” request at 406 West Carpenter Street.

On Tuesday, the Moberly Police Department reported that, at 1:31 p.m. Tuesday, the department was called to the "keep the peace" request.

Upon arriving, the officer reportedly encountered Ritter, who began "acting erratically," according to a news release from the MPD. Ritter allegedly ran to the kitchen, picked up a large knife and approached the officer in "a threatening manner." The officer shot his firearm and hit Ritter, according to the MPD.

Monitor-Index news reporter Connie Duvall went to the scene of the incident Tuesday and said she saw at least one law enforcement officer inside the residence at around 4 p.m., and multiple law enforcement vehicles were gathered outside the residence.

The incident took place relatively close to South Park Elementary School. In a Facebook post made after some raised questions as to why the school wasn't put on lockdown, the Moberly School District indicated that it had been in contact with the MPD, which at the time said the scene was secure and students and staff were safe.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing and being conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control. Bernhardt said the results of this kind of investigation, which is routine after officer-involved shooting incidents, will be passed on to the Randolph County prosecuting attorney, who will decide whether any charges should be filed.

The Randolph County Sheriff's Office, Moberly Fire Department and Randolph County Ambulance District assisted at the scene.

Officials did not release the identity of the officer, and no other injuries were reported.